UNEP GEF International Waters

UNEP GEF International Waters Addressing water issues effectively requires transboundary action because the connectedness of these systems goes beyond political boundaries. Globally, there are over 270 transboundary river basins and 200 transboundary aquifers. 39 countries have more than 90% of their territory within one or more transboundary river basins and 21 lie entirely within one or more of these watersheds. These watersheds cover about one-half of the earth’s land surfaces and are home to about 40% of the world population. The majority of the world’s Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs), responsible for over 85% of the world’s fish catch and provide a suite of ecosystem services such as essential spawning habitats, natural coastal protection, and carbon sequestration and stor- age, are shared by two or more countries.

GEF Role and our collaboration

key partners in many multi-country basins and Large Marine Ecosystems globally to catalyze regional and multi-country cooperation, building on the GPA and its regional presence through the Regional Seas Programme.

The GEF International Waters focal area was established to support countries to jointly manage their transboundary surface water basins, groundwater basins, and coastal and marine systems in order to effectively share ecosystem benefits. UNEP is one of the original three GEF implementing agencies and through its projects, programmes or other initiatives, underpinned by strong institutional and scientific networks and knowledge management platforms, has demonstrated best practice in managing most aspects of the water cycle in river basin, aquifer and coastal and marine ecosystems. UNEP’s work in assessment, management and governance of such ecosystems forms a strong programmatic basis for collaborating with the GEF. Over the last 20 years, UNEP has played a significant role in addressing global transboundary water issues. The International Waters (IW) team at UNEP DEPI, with GEF support, further strengthens this role by advancing an integrated approach to watershed and coastal area management, building on the principles of IntegratedWater Resource Management (IWRM) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in a Source 2 Sea/Ridge 2 Reef continuum. The team actively works with

Global - 6 $22,308,456 18%

Global - 6 $22,308,456 18%

Africa - 6

Africa - 6

Africa - 6 $34,965,545 29%

Africa - 6 $34,965,5 29%

Asia - 2

Asia - 2

LAC - 5

LAC - 5

LAC - 5 $45,252,572 38%

Asia - 2 $18,000,000 15%

LAC - 5 $45,252,572 38%

Asia - $18,000, 15%

Global - 6

Global - 6

Total number of projects under implementation and development for the UNEP GEF Portfolio.

UNEP GEF International Waters 2